A Lao deputy minister has called for closer coordination between state bodies and improved legal expertise to strengthen the implementation of national development plans.

Dalany Phommavongsa, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism and a member of the National Assembly of Laos, made the remarks during the first session of the 10th legislature in Vientiane on 27 March.

She praised reports presented to the assembly, saying they offered an objective assessment of achievements and remaining challenges. While supporting the overall direction and goals for the next five years, she proposed further refinements to improve implementation.

Ms Dalany highlighted the need to strengthen coordination between the National Assembly, the government and relevant organisations, noting that current mechanisms for addressing public concerns and resolving national issues remain insufficiently unified across ministries. She said recurring problems—particularly in the socio-cultural sector—indicate the need for more streamlined and coordinated approaches.

She also called for expanded efforts to build legal capacity across sectors. This includes extending training beyond lawmakers and central officials to personnel at ministerial and local levels, particularly those involved in drafting legislation.

According to Ms Dalany, gaps in specialised legal knowledge have contributed to weaknesses in some laws. Strengthening these skills at the drafting stage would improve both the quality and enforceability of legislation.

She expressed confidence that establishing more integrated coordination mechanisms, alongside enhanced legal capacity, would enable the National Assembly to achieve its objectives more efficiently.

KPL